We love the look of a clean, uncluttered kitchen like this beauty designed by architectural designer Louise Brooks for her own home overlooking Long Island Sound. Keeping clutter under control isn’t easy, however, because kitchens are by necessity filled with “stuff.” We've gathered a selection of our favorite ideas for keeping a kitchen in order while enhancing efficiency.

Chicago-based designer Mick De Giulio often incorporates countertop “garages” for small appliances in the kitchen he designs. This Chicago kitchen has nearly 10 feet of countertop storage from SieMatic cabinets, with three motorized doors that lower at the push of a button.

Coffee pot and blender are pushed behind flip-down doors when not in use. The kitchen cleans up in minutes and appliances are out of sight, an important feature in today’s kitchens that are open to entertaining spaces.

When Massachusetts residential designer Molly Frey planned a Florida vacation home for her parents, she placed open shelves on either side of the range. Having dishes in view makes it easy for guests to help out with food prep and find dishes to serve themselves.

Kitchen designer Mick De Giulio gives a St. Louis kitchen a clean uncluttered backsplash with this innovative idea: tiled sliding panels on each side of the range that close to conceal spices and oils.

Drawer dividers and organizational accessories are sold at home improvement stores and can be ordered from most cabinet manufacturers. This drawer insert slants bottles at an angle to facilitate reading the labels. Spices keep best when stored away from light and heat sources, so drawer storage is a good option for seasonings used infrequently.

Hang attractive (and well-maintained) pots and pans from a metal rack near the range. Racks keep cookware within reach, and will protect items from scratching and damage that can occur when pans are stacked.

A glass-front cabinet in a hallway between the kitchen and boldly painted pantry showcases antique table linens, each neatly hung on dowels and tagged with its size. The pantry is painted with bold green and soft blue.

The secret to a clutter-free kitchen is having storage in all the right places. Designer Matthew Quinn considers how families use a kitchen and places pullout pantries and work and serving stations where they’re most convenient.

1. Coffee station Walnut drawers below the Miele coffee machine organize spoons, tea, and sweeteners. Cups stand in the pantry to the left of the coffee machine. Another pantry to the right holds packaged coffee capsules for the coffeemaker.

2. Pet-feeding station A quartzite slab is tucked in a niche under the island and fitted with drop-in bowls.

3. Cooking utensil storage Drop-in bins keep spoons, whisks, and other utensils handy. A pullout pantry on the other side of the La Cornue range holds oils and seasonings.

4. Appliance garage When not in use the Wolf steam oven, television, and dishes are concealed behind retractable pocket doors in a cabinet to the left of the refrigerator.